Stained Glass Window of Venerable Matt Talbot

 “Became an alcoholic in his early teens. At the age of 28, he went to confession and never touched alcohol again (41 more years). Lived a life of prayer, daily Mass, hard work and penance.”

Source: https://www.stmarychandler.org/10.-ven.-matt-talbot.html

Mary, Mother of the Church, Help Our Faith

Earlier today Pope Francis celebrated the first feast of Mary, Mother of the Church.

Since Venerable Matt Talbot had a very special relationship with Our Lady, he would greatly appreciate this addition to the liturgical calendar. 
 
A prayer card is available at https://www.ucatholic.com/saints/mary-mother-of-the-church/

MOTHER, HELP OUR FAITH!

Open our ears to hear God’s

word and to recognize his voice

and call. Awaken in us a desire to

follow in his footsteps, to go forth

from our own land and to receive

his promise. Help us to be

touched by his love, that we may

touch him in faith. Help us to

entrust ourselves fully to him and

to believe in his love, especially

at times of trial, beneath the

shadow of the cross, when our

faith is called to mature. Sow in

our faith the joy of the Risen One.

Remind us that those who believe

are never alone. Teach us to see

all things with the eyes of Jesus,

that he may be light for our path.

And may this light of faith always

increase in us, until the dawn of

that undying day which is Christ

himself, your Son, our Lord!

AMEN.

New Icon of Venerable Matt Talbot

On February 5, 2018 Gregory posted the following comment at https://www.facebook.com/VenerableMattTalbot/: “Some time ago I wrote to Juliet Venter asking if she would like to prepare a new icon of Venerable Matt Talbot. After some time a beautiful icon was created.”

Juliet's commentary in creating this icon can be read at 
http://www.juliet-icons.co.uk/blog/venerable-matt-talbot

A Friend of God

There are saints who sweep across the sky of their generation like blazing comets signaling the reality and glory of God. Others silently earn grace for a world blind to their presence. Matt Talbot, the friend of God whose life began on 2 May 1856, conversion and sobriety in 1884, and ended on Dublin’s Granby Lane on 7 June 1925, was one of those hidden holy. 


“Lord, you give us the example of Venerable Matt Talbot as a man who seemed completely lost and beyond your grace. In a single moment, you pierced his heart and changed his mind, leading him back to you. Jesus, I pray for this same conversion and transformation for _________ in your perfect will and timing and for your greater glory. Amen.”